Japanese Carriers Expand Service, Form Alliances

<B> Japanese Carriers Expand Service, Form Alliances</B>

By Judy Jacobs

As the Japanese economy begins to pick up and Asia starts to recover from its financial crisis, several airlines are taking notice by upgrading their service, gradually increasing flights and forming alliances that will make air travel more convenient and more rewarding for business travelers.

Northwest Airlines has increased its service to Tokyo to answer to a greater demand for seats from business travelers. "We've seen a pick up in traffic--there's growth in the economy," said Doug Killian, Northwest spokesperson. "In August of this year, transpacific average revenue passenger miles were up 12.2 percent over August 1998, while the actual available seat miles were only up 1.2 percent. The load factor on transpacific flights increased 7.3 percent for a total of 87.9 percent during August 1999."

The carrier added two more Minneapolis-Narita flights last month, for a total of nine weekly. "The new flights are on Friday and Saturday, which are the peak travel days for business travelers," Killian said. "We also upgraded our New York-Tokyo service in September. It's a route that has very heavy business traffic, so we increased capacity by switching from B747-200 to B747-400 aircraft. This adds 15 percent more total seats and upgrades the business class from 48 to 72 seats. That aircraft continues on to Bangkok, so there's upgraded service to Bangkok as well."

In another move, Northwest increased its weekly service between Detroit and Nagoya, the world's two largest automobile manufacturing centers, from three to four flights. "This flight is very popular with auto manufacturing officials and auto parts company officials," Killian added.

Another carrier with frequent service to Japan, United Airlines, has upgraded its transpacific flights by putting new B777 aircraft into service on its Seattle-Tokyo route Oct. 31. With the new aircraft, United has introduced what it calls First Suites, seats that can transform into an office or a bed. The new B777s are configured with 12 First Suites, 49 business class and 211 economy class seats.

To further upgrade what it has to offer business- and first-class travelers, United plans to open a new and expanded Red Carpet Lounge at Narita airport in the middle of next year. The new lounge also will further United's commitment to serving Japan, a position that has been strengthened by its alliance with All Nippon Airways. "Since we formed an alliance with ANA about a year ago, our interline business is up 50 percent," said Eric Ibenhoch, United spokesperson.

Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways has joined the Star Alliance. Joining Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai, United and Varig Brazilian means that ANA passengers can earn and redeem points on any member airline and take advantage of faster flight connections.